Macquarie Place Park, Sydney

A little bit of history resides in this lovely park ...

An easy walk from Circular Quay

 

Belonging to H.M.S. Sirius, this is the first anchor to be retrieved from the ocean floor in 1905. Norfolk Island Museum's website on HMS Sirius/flagship of the First Fleet, states that this anchor has 'both palms missing and one of the palms is still on the wreck site, while the other is possibly the palm that was raised in 1988 and on view in the Norfolk Island museum'.

Engraved text on bronze plaques around each side of the sandstone pedestal read:

"This anchor belonged to H.M.S. Sirius which convoyed the First Fleet, sailed from the Isle of Wight 13th May 1787, arrived in Botany Bay 20th January 1788, anchored in Sydney Cove Saturdy 26th January 1788. And was wrecked 19th March 1790, at Point Ross Norfolk Island, whence this anchor was recovered through the efforts of Sir F. Suttor. Erected 1907"

 ..an intruiging way of noting the day, with the 'a' missing

Plaque next the canon reads: this gun is believed to have formed part of the armament of the HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet, which entered Port Jackson in 1788.  The gun was returned to Sydney after the HMS Sirius was wrecked at Norfok Island in 1790 and used as a signal gun at South Head.  This gun was placed here in 1907.

A decorative drinking fountain (minus the 'fountain'), is one of a series made in Britain, and distributed throughout the colonies.

According to Sydney history archives this obelisk was erected by Governor Macquarie in 1818 to mark the place from which public roads in the colony were measured.

 and a statue erected 1883, backs onto this seating area

Dedicated to Thomas Sutcliffe Mort

Plaque reads: A pioneer of Australian resources, a founder of Australian industries.  One who established our wool market.  The first to make exports of perishable food possible by refrigeration and to provide docks for the reception of the world's shipping.  A founder of the Australian Mutual Provident Society and foremost in every movement for the care and welfare of his fellow citizens who in gratitude erected this monument to his memory.